Kansas deer hunters experience increase in success rate
TOPEKA (KSNT) - State wildlife officials are reporting that deer hunters in Kansas are experiencing a higher level of success.
27 News checked with wildlife research and surveys published by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) going back to 2017-2018 regarding deer season harvest results. Overall, these statistics show hunters in Kansas are seeing a rise in the number of mule and whitetail deer harvested each year and a steady rise in the hunter success rate.
KDWP data shows nonresident and resident hunters remain close in terms of overall success rates with state residents purchasing the most permits each year. While the total number of permits being issued each year has dropped, total harvest data shows hunters are continuing to claim more deer than they were in previous years with the 2023-2024 survey showing a new high in deer numbers.
You can check through a breakdown of these statistics below:
- 2023-2024
- Total permits issued - 171,993.
- Resident - 121,770.
- Nonresident - 50,223.
- Hunter success rate.
- Resident - 52.1%.
- Nonresident - 57.1%.
- Whitetail deer harvest.
- Antlered bucks - 47,937.
- Antlerless - 40,159.
- Mule deer harvest.
- Antlered bucks - 1,163.
- Antlerless - 131.
- Total harvest - 89,390.
- Total permits issued - 171,993.
- 2022-2023
- Total permits issued - 174,771.
- Resident - 124,174.
- Nonresident - 50,597.
- Hunter success rate.
- Resident - 52.9%.
- Nonresident - 55.3%.
- Whitetail deer harvest.
- Antlered bucks - 41,982.
- Antlerless - 38,833.
- Mule deer harvest.
- Antlered bucks - 1,064.
- Antlerless - 174.
- Total harvest - 82,053.
- Total permits issued - 174,771.
- 2021-2022
- Total permits issued - 175,143.
- Resident - 124,927.
- Nonresident - 50,216.
- Hunter success rate.
- Resident - 54.5%.
- Nonresident - 53.1%.
- Whitetail deer harvest.
- Antlered bucks - 43,619.
- Antlerless - 38,664.
- Mule deer harvest.
- Antlered bucks - 1,596.
- Antlerless - 128.
- Total harvest - 84,007.
- Total permits issued - 175,143.
- 2020-2021
- Total permits issued - 182,821.
- Resident - 133,462.
- Nonresident - 49,359.
- Hunter success rate.
- Resident - 55.6%.
- Nonresident - 47.3%.
- Whitetail deer harvest.
- Antlered bucks - 42,774.
- Antlerless - 38,580.
- Mule deer harvest.
- Antlered bucks - 1,605.
- Antlerless - 167.
- Total harvest - 83,126.
- Total permits issued - 182,821.
- 2019-2020
- Total permits issued - 174,602.
- Resident - 125,214.
- Nonresident - 49,388.
- Hunter success rate.
- Resident - 53.3%
- Nonresident - 49.5%
- Whitetail deer harvest.
- Antlered bucks - 39,098.
- Antlerless - 37,070.
- Mule deer harvest.
- Antlered bucks - 1,620.
- Antlerless - 112.
- Total harvest - 77,900.
- Total permits issued - 174,602.
- 2018-2019
- Total permits issued - 179,247.
- Resident - 129,863.
- Nonresident - 49,384.
- Hunter success rate.
- Resident - 53.9%.
- Nonresident - 51.8%.
- Whitetail deer harvest.
- Antlered bucks - 41,056.
- Antlerless - 38,902.
- Mule deer harvest.
- Antlered bucks - 1,597.
- Antlerless - 214.
- Total harvest - 81,769.
- Total permits issued - 179,247.
- 2017-2018
- Total permits issued - 182,632.
- Resident - 133,375.
- Nonresident - 49,257.
- Hunter success rate.
- Resident - 49.2%.
- Nonresident - 49.9%.
- Whitetail deer harvest.
- Antlered bucks - 40,749.
- Antlerless - 36,925.
- Mule deer harvest.
- Antlered bucks - 1,754.
- Antlerless - 139.
- Total harvest - 79,567.
- Total permits issued - 182,632.
You can find the full list of the KDWP's research publications online by clicking here. For more information on deer seasons in Kansas, click here.
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